Quality of radiators from plumbers merchants

[ziggy]

Folks,

I replaced every radiator in the house about 6 years ago, and they were all the standard white-painted steel radiators that are everywhere, I bought mine from a plumbers merchant.

The central heating system is VERY old (over 25 years) but I have replaced pretty much everything apart from the pipe work and the system has alway had inhibitor.

Nearly half of these radiators have already started pinholing (some of them after only 3 years) and I am starting to wonder whether these radiators are inferior or whether the system itself being so old has accumulated too much corrosive material that even inhibitor can't cope with.

I have never had it power flushed, I have tried flushing it many times myself by running water through the system as it drains off ... some times for over an hour with the system on so the water is hot. I have also done this with every radiator closed off in an attempt to flush the pipework, but even though the water eventually runs clear, and I fill up and add inhibitor, the pinholing still happens.

I was wondering whether I should replace the radiators with branded ones (e.g. Mira) as they may be better quality, thicker steel, etc.

Any suggestions?

Ziggy

 

[Gray0689]

Should not be pin holeing already there is a problem I would guess you got a leak somewhere and you getting fresh water running in system all the time

 

[justlead1]

Ditto, Ditto

 

[PlumbBobBob]

go back to the place you got them and see what they say

 

[ziggy]

Can't see any obvious signs of leaks or fresh water entering as it is open vented and the header tank in loft does not even have a trickle of fresh water coming in from the supply. The system does backfill though i.e. when pump is on full power system water continually trickles from vent pipe back into header tank.How long would you expect the standard steel radiators to last ... 10 years?

 

[PlumbBobBob]

at least. some come with 12 year guarantees.

 

[justlead1]

hi The trickling from vent will oxygenate the water which is passing through the system. This is likely to be related to the pin hole problem.

 

[HeatingBargains]

It would be worth getting a detailed Fernox lab test done, that would give you the exact answer. They are easy to do, and come with a full report.

 

[easyt]

I suspect my rads are about 45 years old.

 

[Gray0689]

I suspect my rads are about 45 years old.

They must be cast iron then?

 

[easyt]

They must be cast iron then?

No. Pressed steel.

 

[Gray0689]

Didn't think they did them then lol

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

you have a serious problem with corrosion which may be down to system design such as a low head installation or venting over which causes air and fresh water to be constantly sucked into the system causing your rads to pinhole is the water brown/red by any chance?

 

[easyt]

Didn't think they did them then lol

You must be a young un 😉 .

My father had central heating for the first time in 1964 (approx) They were pressed steel.

 

[ziggy]

Yes, water tends to be red/brown whenever I have flushed the system. Original system must be quite old as when I bought the house the boiler was a Viscount Viceroy that was immediately condemmed!

The first replacement boiler I had put in also corroded eventually and had to be replaced!

you have a serious problem with corrosion which may be down to system design such as a low head installation or venting over which causes air and fresh water to be constantly sucked into the system causing your rads to pinhole is the water brown/red by any chance?